4 Responses to ““Simply keep riding; that’s the best advocacy of all.””

• Mike I. says:
  

  “What tips do you have for new bike commuters?

  One word. Panniers. Forget the backpack and stylish messenger bag for anything other than a really short commute. Invest in a decent rack and bag to carry your stuff.”

  I could not agree more with this comment!

  Posted on 6.2.11 at 10:00 am
• John Ferguson says:
  

  I’ve been seeing a lot of bike commuters recently riding bikes that are equipped with a rear rack but continue to carry most if not all of their stuff in a backpack. It’s a little strange, but I think the cost of a decent pannier is off putting to some. I love my Arkel commuter, but it was almost $200. I justified it as an investment in commuting, but for a lot of people that’s the expected cost of a new bike or close to it..

  Posted on 6.2.11 at 11:32 am
• Pete says:
  

  A dedicated “commuting pannier” is indeed expensive, but a folding wald wire basket pannier, or inexpensive grocery pannier, will carry your bag without breaking the bank, or being much of a theft target (the grocery pannier you could always take with you, too, I guess)
  And there’s always the under-appreciated front basket….

  Posted on 6.2.11 at 1:02 pm
• Derek says:
  

  I have at least a dozen panniers in my garage or on my bikes at any one time. They are the bee’s knees for a transportational cyclist. I primarily use Arkel and Ortlieb and yes, they are expensive. But they last a heck of a long time. I have only completely worn out one pannier (an Arkel) and that was simply because I was hit by a moving truck that ripped a gash in the side of the ripstop fabric. I still used that pannier for a couple years though with some gorrilla tape on it.

  The biggest problem I have is ensuring that the proper gear (e.g. tools, patch kit, pump) gets put in a pannier before I throw it on the rack and head out. When you are a bike geek and have numerous panniers and bikes, outfitting each with the reasonable accoutrements gets pricey.

  Posted on 6.3.11 at 8:38 am